DRAFT EIR MERCED COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONE CITY OF ATWATER CITY OF DOS PALOS CITY OF GUSTINE CITY OF LIVINGSTON CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY OF MERCED COUNTY OF MERCED STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO: 2006091037 MARCH 2008 DRAFT EIR MERCED COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONE CITY OF ATWATER CITY OF DOS PALOS CITY OF GUSTINE CITY OF LIVINGSTON CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY OF MERCED COUNTY OF MERCED March 2008 Lead Agency: County of Merced 2222 M Street Merced, CA 95340 Contact Person: Robert A. Lewis Development Services Director Merced County Planning Phone: (209) 385-7654 Fax: (209) 726-1710 Consultant: 5110 West Cypress Avenue Visalia, CA 93277 Contact Person: Carolyn (Carri) Diltz, CEcD Phone: (559) 733-0440 Fax: (559) 627-2336 060403 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction........................................................................................................................................ES-1 Project Objectives ..............................................................................................................................ES-1 Project Description.............................................................................................................................ES-2 Alternatives to the Project..................................................................................................................ES-2 Potential Areas of Controversy and Issues to be Resolved................................................................ES-3 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures.................................................................................ES-4 Chapter One – Introduction 1.1 Proposed Action.....................................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Procedures..............................................................................................................................1-2 1.3 Methodology..........................................................................................................................1-4 1.4 Organization of the EIR.........................................................................................................1-6 Chapter Two – Project Description 2.1 The Project and Project Objective .........................................................................................2-1 2.2 Project Location ....................................................................................................................2-1 2.3 Project Description.................................................................................................................2-9 2.4 Use of the EIR/Required Agency Actions and Permits.........................................................2-11 Chapter Three – Setting, Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................3-1 3.2 Aesthetics...............................................................................................................................3-2 3.3 Agricultural............................................................................................................................3-4 3.4 Air Quality.............................................................................................................................3-10 3.5 Biological Resources.............................................................................................................3-34 3.6 Cultural Resources.................................................................................................................3-43 3.7 Geology/Soils.........................................................................................................................3-47 3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .........................................................................................3-52 3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality................................................................................................3-55 3.10 Land Use/Planning.................................................................................................................3-60 3.11 Mineral Resources.................................................................................................................3-62 3.12 Noise ......................................................................................................................................3-65 3.13 Population and Housing.........................................................................................................3-71 3.14 Public Services.......................................................................................................................3-73 3.15 Recreation and Parks..............................................................................................................3-80 3.16 Transportation/Traffic............................................................................................................3-85 3.17 Utility Systems and Facilities ................................................................................................3-89 i Chapter Four – Evaluation of Alternatives 4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................4-1 4.2 Infeasible Alternative Location..............................................................................................4-1 4.3 Discussion of Alternatives.....................................................................................................4-2 4.4 Comparisons ..........................................................................................................................4-3 Chapter Five – Cumulative Impacts Introduction........................................................................................................................................5-1 5.1 Cumulative Projects...............................................................................................................5-1 5.2 Cumulative Impacts Analysis................................................................................................5-2 Chapter Six – Mandatory CEQA Sections 6.1 Unavoidable Significant Environmental Effects ...................................................................6-1 6.2 Growth-Inducing Impacts ......................................................................................................6-1 6.4 Effects Not Found to be Significant.......................................................................................6-2 Appendices Appendix A Notice of Preparation and Initial Study Appendix B Notice of Preparation Comment Letters LIST OF TABLES Table Description ES-1 Summary of Potential Impacts, Proposed Mitigation Measures, and Level of Significance .................................................................................................ES-5 2.3-1 Enterprise Zone Acreage by Agency.................................................................................2-9 2.4-1 Subsequent Permits, Approvals, Review and Consultation Requirements .......................2-12 3.4-1 Select CARB Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategies ........................................3-12 3.4-2 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards - 2007 .................................................3-14 3.4-3 Summary of Annual Ambient Air Quality Data (2003-2006)...........................................3-18 3.4-4 San Joaquin Valley Air Basin 2004 Toxic Emissions Inventory (By Type).....................3-26 3.12-1 Groundborne Vibration Impact Criteria ............................................................................3-66 3.14-1 Merced County Fire Station Locations..............................................................................3-74 3.14-2 City of Merced Fire Stations..............................................................................................3-76 3.14-3 Merced County School Districts........................................................................................3-79 3.15-1 Federal, State and Local Parks in Merced County ............................................................3-81 3.15-2 Private Recreational Facilities in Merced County.............................................................3-83 ii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Description 2.2-1 Regional Location of Project ...................................................................................... 2-2 2.2-2 Merced County Enterprise Zone Map ........................................................................ 2-3 2.2-2A Project Area – Cities of Gustine, Los Banos and Dos Palos Detail......... 2-4 2.2-2B Project Area – City of Merced Detail ...................................................... 2-5 2.2-2C Project Area – City of Atwater Detail ..................................................... 2-6 2.2-2D Project Area – City of Livingston Detail................................................. 2-7 3.3-1 Important Farmland Locations, Merced County......................................................... 3-5 3.3-2 Williamson Act Contract Parcels, Merced County..................................................... 3-7 3.4-1 California Air Basin and Counties............................................................................ 3-29 3.4-2 SJVAPCD Monitoring Station Locations................................................................. 3-31 3.5-1 Historic Habitat and Sensitive Communities,